The team at Naughty Dog have crafted an amazing story and an amazing cast of characters. All the hate from people online is because they missed the point of the first game. They miss the point of the world in the game it's unforgiving. They even miss the point of the title. The last of us aren't just Joel and Ellie? No, the title refers to the last of the human race after an apocalypse.
It is emotional, disturbing and in my opinion genuinely hard to play. It's a world that is uncomfortable and violent. There are parts that i actively didn't want to participate in. It's the only game i have wept playing. It is a game that demands your emotions. It is a game that is not fun to play. You have to survive it. And that is exactly what they set out to do.
Bravo Naughty Dog